Abstract: Wellbore synthesis techniques are disclosed suitable for use in geothermal applications. Embodiments are provided where open hole drilled wellbores are sealed while drilling to form an impervious layer at the wellbore/formation interface. The techniques may be chemical, thermal, mechanical, biological and are fully intended to irreversibly damage the formation in terms of the permeability thereof. With the permeability negated, the wellbore may be used to create a closed loop surface to surface geothermal well operable in the absence of well casing for maximizing thermal transfer to a circulating working fluid. Formulations for the working and drilling fluids are disclosed.

Abstract: Closed loop wellbore configurations with unrestricted geometry for accommodating irregular or challenging thermal gradients within a thermally productive formation are disclosed. A working fluid is utilized in the loop for extraction of thermal energy there from. The loop and the unrestricted geometry are achieved using magnetic ranging of independent drilling operations which intersect from an inlet well and outlet well to form an interconnecting segment. In conjunction with the directional drilling, conditioning operations are incorporated to condition the rock face, cool the entire system, activate the wellbore for treatment to optimize thermal transfer inter alia. The significant degree of freedom in wellbore configuration is further optimized by the absence of mechanical impediments such as casing or liners in the heat transfer areas.

Abstract: A firearm mount, components thereof, and associated methods. The firearm can be configured for use with an AR-15 style firearm or other type of firearm. The firearm mount is adapted to securely hold the firearm assembly in position for cleaning, maintenance, and/or gunsmithing tasks. The firearm mount can include a lock configured to selectively lock and unlock a firearm assembly thereon.

Abstract: An anti-cant indicator assembly, components thereof, and associated methods. The anti-cant indicator assembly indicates the orientation of a weapon with respect to vertical. The anti-cant indicator assembly includes a mount configured to mount to the weapon, a level including a vial containing a bubble and a pivot connection connecting the level to the mount. The pivot connection is configured to permit movement of the level with respect to the mount about the pivot connection between an operational position in which the bubble can be referenced by the user for indicating orientation of the weapon with respect to vertical, and a stowed position different from the operational position. The pivot connection can include a retainer configured to releasably retain the level in at least one of the operational position or the stowed position. The level can be selectively movable with respect to the mount to calibrate the anti-cant indicator.

Abstract: An out-the-front knife, components thereof, and associated methods. The out-the front knife can be a double-action spring-assisted knife. The knife includes a handle and a blade. The handle includes a rear end and a front opening opposite the rear end. The blade is movable with respect to the handle between stowed and deployed positions. In the stowed position, the blade is biased rearward. The knife includes an actuator movable in a deploying direction to spring the blade forward away from the stowed position toward the deployed position.

Abstract: An ammunition press for manufacturing or reloading ammunition cartridges. The ammunition press includes a slide bearing about which the ram of the ammunition press moves to provide smooth operation of the ammunition press. A configurable spent primer system is provided to enable a user to select how they want to collect spent primers or other debris from the ammunition press. According to a user's preference, the ammunition press can also be customized to provide a cam-over or non-cam-over sensation as the user operates the ammunition press. A light is integrated with the ammunition press for illuminating a shell holder that holds the ammunition shells (sometimes called cases). Components of the ammunition press and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A shooting rest, components thereof, and associated methods. The shooting rest includes a frame, a forward firearm support connected to the frame, and a rear firearm support connected to the frame. The rear firearm support includes a stop configured to limit rearward movement of the firearm with respect to the frame when the firearm is fired. A liquid tank is supported by the frame and is configured to hold liquid to increase the effective mass of the shooting rest to reduce recoil felt by a shooter when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: A nipper, components thereof, and associated methods. The nipper includes first and second jaws, and first and second levers connected to respective ones of the jaws. The jaws are pivotable about a pivot axis to move cutting edges of the jaws toward and away from each other. The jaws and levers have a keyed connection for conjoint pivoting of the respective jaws and levers about the pivot axis. A retainer is configured to retain the cutting edges in a closed arrangement. The nipper includes a poker for cleaning paint from an eyelet of a lure or fishing hook. The poker is movable between stowed and deployed positions with respect to a lever of the nipper.

Abstract: An anti-cant indicator assembly, components thereof, and associated methods. The anti-cant indicator assembly indicates the orientation of a weapon with respect to vertical. The anti-cant indicator assembly includes a mount configured to mount to the weapon, a level including a vial containing a bubble and a pivot connection connecting the level to the mount. The pivot connection is configured to permit movement of the level with respect to the mount about the pivot connection between an operational position in which the bubble can be referenced by the user for indicating orientation of the weapon with respect to vertical, and a stowed position different from the operational position. The pivot connection can include a retainer configured to releasably retain the level in at least one of the operational position or the stowed position. The level can be selectively movable with respect to the mount to calibrate the anti-cant indicator.

Abstract: Closed loop wellbore configurations with unrestricted geometry for accommodating irregular or challenging thermal gradients within a thermally productive formation are disclosed. A working fluid is utilized in the loop for extraction of thermal energy there from. The loop and the unrestricted geometry are achieved using magnetic ranging of independent drilling operations which intersect from an inlet well and outlet well to form an interconnecting segment. In conjunction with the directional drilling, conditioning operations are incorporated to condition the rock face, cool the entire system, activate the wellbore for treatment to optimize thermal transfer inter alia. The significant degree of freedom in wellbore configuration is further optimized by the absence of mechanical impediments such as casing or liners in the heat transfer areas.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition press to seat a bullet in a case includes a die housing having an ammunition press mount for mounting the bullet seating die on the ammunition press. The die housing defines a bullet receiving space having an open end and a side window in communication with the bullet receiving space. The side window sized and shaped to permit the bullet to be inserted therethrough to position the bullet in the bullet receiving space. A seating stem is supported by the die housing. The seating stem is arranged to engage the bullet to press the bullet into the case when the ammunition press is operated. A spring biases the seating stem away from the open end of the bullet receiving space to permit the bullet to be inserted through the side window and into the bullet receiving space.

Abstract: A shooting rest, components thereof, and associated methods. The shooting rest includes a frame, a forward firearm support connected to the frame, and a rear firearm support connected to the frame. The rear firearm support includes a stop configured to limit rearward movement of the firearm with respect to the frame when the firearm is fired. A liquid tank is supported by the frame and is configured to hold liquid to increase the effective mass of the shooting rest to reduce recoil felt by a shooter when the firearm is fired.

Abstract: A bullet seating die for use with an ammunition press to seat a bullet in a case includes a die housing having an ammunition press mount for mounting the bullet seating die on the ammunition press. The die housing defines a bullet receiving space having an open end and a side window in communication with the bullet receiving space. The side window sized and shaped to permit the bullet to be inserted therethrough to position the bullet in the bullet receiving space. A seating stem is supported by the die housing. The seating stem is arranged to engage the bullet to press the bullet into the case when the ammunition press is operated. A spring biases the seating stem away from the open end of the bullet receiving space to permit the bullet to be inserted through the side window and into the bullet receiving space.

Abstract: A knife case and associated components and methods. The knife case includes a case body and a plurality of holders. For example, the case may be configured to hold a plurality of blade components configured to be interchangeably mounted on a handle. The knife may be an electric knife, and the case can include a battery dock for holding a spare battery.

Abstract: A knife, components thereof, a sheath therefor, and associated methods. The sheath may be releasably retainable on the blade by engagement of connection structure of the sheath and blade formed by inserting the blade into the sheath. The blade may include a bottle opener. The knife may include a finger recess adapted to receive a finger of a user when the knife is gripped by the user. The knife may be an ulu knife.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing powder for firearm ammunition and associated methods. The dispenser can include a hopper, a conveyor, a scale sensor, a dispensing head, a dispenser controller, and a tangible storage medium storing instructions executable by the dispenser controller. The dispensing head is movable to a plurality of dispensing positions to dispense ammunition powder to a plurality of cases from the plurality of dispensing positions. In some embodiments, the dispensing head moves between a home position, where the dispensing head receives powder from the conveyor, and the plurality of dispensing positions, where the dispensing head delivers loads of powder from the conveyor to individual ammunition cases.

Abstract: A shelf assembly and components thereof, for concealing items of value of an owner from a passerby. The shelf assembly forms a concealment enclosure including a door movably connected to a shelf to permit movement of the door with respect to the shelf between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the door hides an interior. In the open position, access to the interior is permitted. The door includes a support surface, including a plurality of openings, arranged to be in the concealed interior when the door is closed position. A plurality of pegs are sized and shaped to be received in the plurality of openings to support the pegs extending outward from the support surface to form a customized mount for holding items of value.

Abstract: A net for fishing or other purposes. The net includes a hoop frame connected to a pole by a yoke. The yoke defines sockets in which respective arms of the hoop frame and a distal end of the pole are received. Plugs in the arms of the hoop frame desirably prevent water from passing the plugs into the hoop frame. A plug in the distal end of the pole desirably prevents water from passing the plug into the pole. The yoke and plugs provide a robust connection of the hoop frame to the pole and help retain air in the hoop frame and pole for buoyancy of the net.